PORTRAIT

Bye Bye Wedding Rule Book – Hello Authentic Weddings Experiences

Weddings have come a long way. We were always inclined to encourage couples to do it their way and to forget rules and formalities. No two weddings should be the same. We are glad to say that no 2 weddings are ever the same at Ballinacurra and we still get excited every time, to see how each couple will interpret their wedding vision here with us.

Granted, there are many reasons why Ballinacurra attracts couples that are looking for something different because there are just so many ways to celebrate a wedding here and a myriad of cool locations around the property to say I Do.

But in the larger scheme of things, it seems that weddings have become a lot less rigid and standard. Couples are choosing a less formal approach to weddings — less pomp and ceremony, and more celebration.

Couples are really getting into making their day personalised and different to reflect the couple and their tastes. There is no longer a rulebook that has to be followed. People can get married in Converse, with their dogs, in a trouser suit by the water. If they don’t want speeches after dinner, they can do them during the cocktail hour. If they don’t want 5 courses they can have a gourmet tasting menu. The possibilities are endless!

The same principles apply with the wedding budget. Spend money on what matters most is what we say. Couples want to give their guests an experience that they will remember. If food is their thing, then they work more of the budget into food. If a particular cocktail or gin bar is more in tune with their guests, then by all means, go botanical. People are not spending less on weddings but instead are more focused on where the quality should be. They are re-appropriating funds to areas that the bride and groom regard as more important and impactful.

Same goes for wedding attire. Even the high street retailers have picked up on this move towards spending money only on things that really matter. Whistles, Topshop, Monsoon, Phase Eight and Debenhams are some of many retailers selling very affordable wedding dresses and bridal party attire.

So say good bye to the wedding rule book and hello to originality and authentic wedding experiences with your nearest and dearest.

Looking for something that will blow your guests away? Come see for yourself what all the fuss is about. To arrange a private viewing of our award winning property contact info@ballinacurra.com 021 4779040. You won’t be disappointed.

Intimate and Small Weddings

The biggest challenge for couples is how to make your wedding unique and special, without compromising quality, which is why small weddings are making a comeback – and venues such as Ballinacurra House, Kinsale – provide the perfect solution for downsizing but not downgrading.

“The landscape for weddings has changed dramatically in recent years by two key factors: the new marriage reform law meaning full civil ceremonies can take place outside the church or registry office, and the desire for ‘something different’ for those couples suffering ‘wedding fatigue’ of the traditional hotel offering,” said Ballinacurra House owner Des McGahan.

“These two factors mean couples have a more creative choice for their special day and there is a definite shift to more alternative or private venues, where the focus is on quality not quantity – without breaking the bank.”

Everyone wants their special day to be different and the way to achieve this is to;

Focus your spend on the important items

Choose a Quality Venue which includes everything that you need

Quality Food and Beverage – go for quality and diversity – don’t be restricted to the traditional ‘beef & salmon’ choices from the 1970s!

You may feel overwhelmed in organising your ‘Wedding with a Difference’. But don’t. We are not hoteliers – we are event planners and co-ordinators. The owners of Ballinacurra House – Des & Lisa McGahan – previously owned PRISM, Asia’s largest event management company and run the property as their core business of an Events House. You’re in good hands!

Ballinacurra House, Kinsale, was voted “Best Exclusive Hire Property” at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes for 2007/08 by the prestigious Luxury Travel Magazine, beating out stiff competition from Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island, won Kinsale Business of the Year in 2008 and hit the headlines recently as the secret hideaway for Michael Jackson and his family, who rented the private Georgian Estate for a number of weeks while writing a proposed new album.

At Ballinacurra House customers can enjoy the experience of a 40 acre luxury, private country residence, complete with your own personal chef, butler – a bespoke wedding of your choice, in the inspirational setting of renowned medieval tourist town – Kinsale, Ireland’s culinary capital. Magnificent south-facing walled gardens feature an outdoor entertainment patio, Italian Pizza oven, croquet lawn, playground, helipad, picnic lawn, stream and pond, and leads down to woods and a small boat jetty on the Bandon River estuary.

The property has 22 themed rooms, in the main house, cottage and coach house and the informally manicured grounds are perfect for outdoor cocktail parties, activities, garden parties and BBQ’s or winter weddings with log fires throughout. The capacity of the Ballroom for a sit-down dinner is 60 and can accommodate up to 120 in the Garden Room or 180 using both rooms side by side. A Private Wedding at Ballinacurra House is only ever “Exclusively Yours”.